Featuring the most stacked team in the entire NBA, it makes sense that oddsmakers and fans alike seem to like the Boston Celtics' chances of making the playoffs in 2024. Then again, we've seen several teams that were supposed to dominate fall short of their goal of Playoffs, including other versions of the Celtics.
Joe Mazzola's team has had the best record in the league almost since the start of the season, and has already secured home-court advantage all the way to the NBA Finals. That's why they are currently under so much pressure to reach this stage.
The truth is, they could be considered the NBA team currently under the most pressure to get the job done.
It's now or never in Boston
The Boston Celtics have the roster and depth to put together one of the best NBA runs ever. And although their two stars are still very young, their title window could be closing right before their eyes, as the rest of the Eastern Conference should improve in the next couple of years.
The Philadelphia 76ers have enough cap space and draft capital to acquire another star this offseason, and so do the New York Knicks. The Orlando Magic are up and ready to roll with top free agents, and the Milwaukee Bucks should be better off with another year of Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo together. They will never have an easier path to the NBA Finals than they do now.
They have to pay
The Boston Celtics' playoff chances in 2024 were the highest of all playoff teams since the start of the season, and it's no surprise. They have a ton of talent at every position, and the new CBA has made it nearly impossible to maintain that over time.
Jaylen Brown is the highest-paid player in NBA history, and Jayson Tatum is on the cusp of breaking that record with his impending contract extension. Derrick White is also extension eligible, and Jrue Holiday just received a multi-year extension.
The Celtics have already kept Kristaps Porzingis on a three-year deal, and he will also receive a significant portion of the salary cap. So, how will Brad Stevens be able to overcome the salary cap to continue adding talent alongside Tatum and Brown? At some point, they're just going to have to part ways with some players.
Will they get it done?
Most of the Boston Celtics' potential opponents have struggled against them this season, but the playoffs are a whole different animal. For starters, Joe Mazzola has let big leads slip through his fingers a few times, and while he's also made some solid adjustments in qualifying, he's also allowed his team to bury themselves in some big holes.
Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum both leave a lot to be desired when the lights are brighter. This has always been the narrative against them, and they need to get the monkey off their backs by finally proving the doubters wrong on the biggest stage.
Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday should be the
This team should have no problem returning to the final stage, as they are clearly the best team in the Eastern Conference. Then again, whether they can get past the Denver Nuggets, for example, is a whole different story.
